With Maria in Wales

Ceridwen saw us off at the crack of dawn, and we rode the gorgeous "Heart of Wales" line to Shrewsbury. Maria met us in Shrewsbury and drove us to her beautiful hilltop home near Llangollen, where we will be, with her and Alain, till we depart for Staithes. On the way to Maria's home, we walked one of the oldest, largest and most distinct of the Hillforts, built 3000 years ago and still standing. Then we stopped at the battleground where Henry II met the Welsh and was defeated, and we communed with an oak tree that was alive in that field when that confrontation occurred. (More details about the hillfort in Extra shot.)

How happy am I? I can't even begin to describe it. the weather is glorious, the company is scintillating, and the steep hills are full of birdsong.